About
I am an epidemiologist with extensive research and training experience in tropical disease biology, ecology, surveillance, and control across more than 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. My current research focuses on Global and Planetary Health, specifically the landscape ecology and applied epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and emerging zoonotic diseases in humans within the context of environmental and climate change. I use geographical information systems (GIS), meteorological and remote sensing data, and statistical methods to better understand the factors driving the spatial and temporal distribution of human infections, clinical conditions, and insect vectors. Capacity strengthening of students and scientists is a cross-cutting theme throughout my research.
I am Programme Lead for the MSc Planetary and One Health. I lead the Global Outbreak Surveillance and Control module, which forms part of both the MSc Planetary and One Health and the MSc Emerging Infections & Pandemics. I also teach on a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and have supervised 12 PhD students and more than 30 MSc research projects.
My current research projects focus on:
- Development of the CLIMate SEnsitive DISease Forecasting Tool (CLimSeDis).
- Vector-borne diseases in Nepal, with a particular focus on the NTDs lymphatic filariasis and dengue, encompassing hotspot mapping, vector surveillance, health system strengthening, thermal imaging, and climate change impacts.
- Spatial and temporal patterns of malaria, dengue, and cholera in relation to natural hazards, disasters, and population displacement in Yemen.
- impacts of climate change and conflict-related extreme events on health in Africa and Asia, and the development of strategies to strengthen preparedness and resilience.